Made possible by the community.
Families across Canvey Island rely on the Canvey School Uniform Bank for access to free, good-quality school uniforms. And thanks to an incredible community effort — with support from local organisations, volunteers, and a £6,000 contribution from Calor — the Uniform Bank is about to move into a brand-new purpose-built cabin.
The new cabin will sit behind Our Lady of Canvey Catholic Church on Long Road, on land kindly provided by the Church. Construction has been coordinated by the St Vincent de Paul charity, with further help from Canvey Rotary, the Mayor of Canvey Town Council, and an Essex County Council grant secured by Councillor Blackwell.
Together, these contributions laid the foundations for the project. But when the build faced a funding shortfall, the community rallied again.
To help the project over the final hurdle, local MP Rebecca Harris secured a £6,000 donation from Calor. This funding will complete the cabin build and provide essential electrical works — ensuring the space is warm, safe, and ready for families to use.
Rebecca Harris MP Said:
“A heartfelt thank you goes to Calor, the Church, St Vincent de Paul, all donors, and especially Jan, Jo, and the dedicated team behind the Uniform Bank. Their tireless work continues to make a meaningful difference for local families.”The new cabin is expected to open early next year, 2026. Once complete, it will give the Uniform Bank a permanent, welcoming space where parents and carers can collect items completely free of charge - no questions asked.
Supporting the Canvery School Uniform Bank is just one of the ways we're helping communities across the UK stay warm, supported and ready for the future.
Keep an eye on our News & Views page for more stories about the people and partnerships making a difference in the communities we serve.
Duncan Carter, Corporate Affairs Manager at Calor added:
“At Calor, we’re committed to supporting the communities we serve and operate in. We’re proud to support the Canvey Island School Uniform Bank to help ensure every child has access to the essentials they need to thrive at school. It’s about more than uniforms — it’s about dignity, opportunity, and giving families one less thing to worry about.”
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